The pitch invader who planted a corner flag into the centre circle during West Ham's defeat to Burnley has explained his actions.
Travel operator Paul Colborne, 61, brought the match between West Ham United and Burnley at the London Stadium to a standstill when he ran from his seat and rammed the flag into the pitch as astonished players looked on.
He told the Daily Mail: "I have been going to see West Ham home and away for 49 years and have seen more than 2,000 games.
"I hadn't planned anything, but I just felt I had to do something. You have to stand up for what you believe in. People have died and been put against a wall for what they believe in.
"I had to do something. I wasn't being violent, but I couldn't take it anymore when Burnley went 2-0 up.
"I got out of my seat in the Bobby Moore stand and climbed over the fence, got the flag and walked towards the centre circle.
"James Collins came up and said “What are you doing?" I said “You've been here 15 years Ginge, I love you, but I have been here 49 years" and eventually I put the thing into the centre spot. James Collins was real nice and really reasonable."
